The .375 H&H Packs Plenty of Power and Remarkable Versatility

One sign of getting older is greater susceptibility to nostalgia. Some of my fondest memories growing up involve discussions about hunting and firearms with my grandfather, Pap Minico, who was a fountain of knowledge. I always looked forward to visiting with him. Multiple volumes of Gun Digest and Shooter’s Bible yearly annuals he had on hand were scoured for information. Without fail, we would disappear into his gun room or basement, where the reloading equipment was located. 

Discussions were not confined to rifles. Cartridges were also debated. One of Pap’s favorite rounds was the .375 H&H Magnum (.375 H&H). H&H stands for Holland & Holland—a prestigious British gunmaker based in London that traces its roots back to 1835. Pap had several .375 H&H rifles over the years and would show up at deer camp with one every so often. His ability to handload proved beneficial here. The 300-grain solid bullets meant for Africa's dangerous game would be replaced by custom loads featuring Nosler 260-grain Partition bullets being shoved at velocities that offer a ballistic path similar to a 150-grain .308 Win. Remember, this is from a big-bore dangerous game cartridge.

FIELD PROVEN

Pap would preach how the Brits got the .375 H&H right based on their experience in Africa and India during the heyday of the British Empire. The .375 H&H, introduced in 1912, served as the base cartridge for a whole class of “belted magnums” that followed for the next hundred years. Here was a cartridge with a gentle sloping shoulder specifically designed for the emerging bolt-action rifles coming on the market. The .375 H&H geometry is ideal for being hustled into a chamber via bolt-action shove. This same design dealt well with the transition to smokeless powder, not to mention pressure spikes of any rounds left out in the scorching tropical sun. 

The belt located near the .375 H&H’s base was used to headspace the round in the chamber because the shoulder angle was so shallow. Although most subsequent cartridges that spawned from the .375 H&H had shoulders suitable for headspacing, making the distinct .375 H&H “belt” superfluous, for years, no self-respecting cartridge could be without a “magnum belt” for marketing reasons. Such was the .375 H&H mystique. 

From its inception, Holland & Holland recognized the versatility of the .375 H&H and supported it by offering three different bullet weights for various animal sizes/types—235 grain at 2,800 fps, 270 grain at 2,650 fps, 300 grain at 2,500 fps. Modern manufacturers such as Federal, Hornady, as well as specialty ammunition producers like Buffalo Bore, offer a dizzying array of bullet weights and types. Anecdotally, the 270-grain .375 H&H load shoots as flat as a 180-grain .30-06, arriving with nearly twice the muzzle energy. Sight in .375 H&H a few inches high at 100 yards, and you will be good to go out to 250-plus yards with the round dipping only 2-3 inches low. That is mighty impressive for a medium-bore dangerous game rifle. Anecdotally, the .375 H&H has the reputation for shooting various bullet weights to the same sight-in point. Don’t know why, but awful convenient for hunters changing bullet types/styles afield. This only burnishes the .375 H&H reputation as a do-it-all cartridge.

RUGER NO.1 TROPICAL

I have chased deer, elk, black bear and hogs with Model 70 Alaskan and Ruger No.1 Tropical rifles chambered in .375 H&H. Both handloaded and factory ammunition have been utilized. Hunting styles varied between still hunt, spot and stalk, treestand, ground blind and safari style, such is the versatility of the .375 H&H. 

There is a certain aura about the Ruger No.1. Its close resemblance to the classic English Farquharson transports one to India and Africa at the heyday of the British Empire and the start of safari hunting. A certain mindset is created when one is hunting with a single-shot rifle. Once dismissed out of hand for hunting (other than varmints and very small game), shooters have realized that, with a bit of practice, their second shot can be on its way in a surprisingly short time. While it cannot be categorized as a "light" rifle, the balance and carry characteristics of the Ruger No.1 Tropical make it a joy to handle in the field. The compact action, i.e., only a falling block, allows for a 24-inch barrel to have an overall length shorter than a bolt-action rifle with a 20-inch barrel. The Ruger No.1’s action is vault-like, strong and perfect for revving up handloads if so inclined. 

My intent for the Ruger .375 H&H is for an all-around, one-shot hammer handloading 260-grain Nosler Partition bullets to almost 2,800 fps. What I have in mind is elk and deer—whitetail and mule. An occasional black bear hunt may see the .375 H&H show up as well. The Ruger No. 1 produces 1.5-MOA with a rock-solid cold bore point of impact every time. It reminds me how well the .375 H&H performs.

WINCHESETER MODEL 70 ALASKAN

The second rifle, chambered in .375 H&H, is the Winchester Model 70 Alaskan. The Alaskan falls under the “Classic” era model designation. The “Classic” returned pre-64 features with minor differences in stock and action design. The commentaries I have read seem to agree that the “Classic” Model 70 incorporates features that make it superior to the original pre-64 Model 70—except for nostalgia, that is. 

The Model 70 Alaskan is more scope-friendly, coming already drilled and tapped. Along this line of thought, the Model 70 Alaskan features a subdued Monte Carlo-style stock. I say subdued as not as prominent as some other Monte Carlo profiles on the market. The Alaskan is one of the few Winchester Model 70’s that uses a Monte Carlo style stock. The Monte Carlo stock design with a raised comb caters to using a mounted optic. Monte Carlo advocates point out that the design also aids in handling recoil by preventing a “slap” of the face that is more typical of the jaw welds found on a lot of rifles when scopes are used with stocks not properly set up to do so. Comfortable shooting translates into accurate shooting. Winchester is one of the few firearm manufacturers offering bolt-action chambered in .375 H&H. This is unfortunate, but understandable considering a longer (magnum) bolt action is required to handle the lengthy 3.6-inch .375 H&H cartridge. Standard length actions need not apply. 

The Winchester Model 70 Alaskan uses pre-'64 Style controlled round feeding with a claw extractor. This was one of Pap’s favorite topics—the difference between controlled round feeding (CRF) versus push feed (PF). For Pap, Mauser had shown the way with its large claw extractor, which grabbed onto the round from the magazine and held onto it until the empty brass was flicked away so another round could be ushered into the chamber. He repeated many times over that for him, there was no option other than CRF, especially if a rifle was destined for use with any sort of dangerous game. He created demonstrations with controlled round feed versus push feed bolt designs using “dummy rounds.” The proper way of vigorously working a bolt action was also instilled here. “Don’t baby it!” he would exhort. He wanted the Model 70’s blade ejector to send the brass across the room. He advised that the large claw extractor found on the CRF bolt action is also a real plus for getting a sticky case out of a chamber, albeit caused by fouling, dirt or high pressure. The small extractors found on push-feed bolt actions would either slip off or rip through a stuck case. 

The Model 70 Alaskan harkens back to another age with a satin-finished black walnut Monte Carlo with cut checking combined with polished blue metal. Do not confuse refined aesthetics with a lack of purpose. The forged steel receiver with jeweled bolt features dual recoil lugs and two steel stock reinforcing crossbolts, harnessing .375 H&H thump. Winchester’s time-tested three-position safety gives tactile and visual representation of the rifle’s status. The 25-inch sporter profile barrel is free floated. The Model 70 Alaskan’s free-floated barrel with recessed target crown generates 1- to 1.25-inch accuracy. The 25-inch barrel came as a surprise. However, once the 8.5-pound Alaskan was shouldered, any concern dissipates. It is so balanced. 

Talley Manufacturing rings and bases secure a Trijicon AccuPoint 1-4x optic to the Model 70 Alaskan. Trijicon’s combining of tritium and fiber-optic lit reticle is hard to beat for a big-bore rifle that does its work up close and personal. With the .375 H&H, which can stretch its legs for some distance work, the ability to access 4x is handy. The Winchester Model 70 Alaskan in .375 H&H can be a bear rifle one hunt and then an elk rifle the next. In Africa safari terms, Cape Buffalo in the morning, with plains game in the afternoon. The .375 H&H is a true all-around game-getting cartridge. 

TO EACH THEIR OWN

Some would argue that the .375 H&H is excessive for anything in North America. You need to study deeper into what the .375 H&H offers. I believe the big brown bears would disagree. Elk and moose are large animals as well. I offer in rebuttal that you are never overgunned if you can place the bullet where it belongs. Plus, with the .375 H&H, you still retain a ballistic path enabling use beyond 200 yards, unlike some close-range bludgeons. Years after my childhood tutoring session, extensive reading and personal experiences have only confirmed what Pap was telling me about the .375 H&H. 

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